(Newser)
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The numbers are in, now it's time to make sense of them. Nate Silver breaks down last night's election results:

Don’t blame Obama; Creigh Deeds and Jon Corzine were probably just weak candidates. In New Jersey, 57% of voters approved of Obama, but 27% of those supporters voted Republican anyway. In Virginia 20% of those who approved of Obama voted GOP.

Democrats had turnout problems in Virginia; the voters who came out last night supported McCain 51-43 in 2008, a mirror image of that year's margin.

Bill Owens’ win is “a reminder that all politics is local (sometimes).” Doug Hoffman’s support mostly came from outside the district, but he was too conservative for the center-right NY-23.

Gay marriage loses in Maine, thanks to an urban-rural divide, a factor Silver says should be considered in addition to a state's religiosity. The enthusiasm gap is closing on the issue, but it's still getting the right out of the house and to the polls.

Mike Bloomberg’s win was really narrow, despite voters approving of his performance 70-29. Why? Because 58% said his decision to extend his term limit influenced their vote.

You have to be a real brilliant political spinster to call Dem candidates "weak." Based on what? On the fact that they lost? Oh yea, Corzine was such a weak candidate, if only the Dems could pick someone who had a chance of becoming a governor... Oh, I don't know.. maybe someone who WAS the governor aleady...

Doctor-Zaius

Nov 4, 2009 7:49 AM CST

Perhaps, perhaps not.

ronimaca

Nov 4, 2009 7:36 AM CST

wow the GOP whiners are out in force today. Like I said before look at the f-ing exit polls. You just can't help yourselves. Dem winning in the 23rd is the big story you righties know it. Beck, Limpballs, and Winky Palin were wrong they supported the conservative and stab Dede in the back. hahahahahahahahah